Federal Shariat Court’s Landmark Verdict: Depriving Women of Inheritance Declared Un-Islamic, Criminal Action Ordered

The Federal Shariat Court (FSC) has issued a groundbreaking ruling against the practice of denying women their inheritance, declaring it un-Islamic.
The court has also mandated criminal proceedings against those who deprive women of their rightful inheritance based on outdated customs and traditions.
A four-member bench, presided over by Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman, announced the decision while hearing a petition filed by Fawzia Jalal Shah. The court was informed that cultural practices such as “chadar” and “parchi” are prevalent in Bannu.
The court emphasized that depriving women of their inheritance in the name of such cultural practices is not sanctioned by Islam and must be abolished.
The court was informed that certain regions still adhere to traditional practices where women are denied their inheritance rights under the guise of local customs. However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government stated in court that such traditions are neither widespread nor legally recognized.
The Federal Shariat Court strongly condemned these practices, recalling that before Islam, women were deprived of inheritance during the era of ignorance, and Islam was established to ensure their rightful share in property and assets.
In its ruling, the court directed that legal action should be taken against individuals who continue to disinherit women.